Safety strain-insulator.



APPLICATION FXLED lHLY25,19\2.

1,206,158. mm@ Nw@ 2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

WITNESSES INEE/Fmr? I. STEINBERGER.

AsAFIiTII STRAIN IIIsuIAToR.

APPLICATION FILED IuLv 25, I9I2. A v 1.206,1 58. Patented Nov. v,28, 1916.

l 2 sIIEEs-SIIEET 2.

i MII LOUIS STEINBERGER, OF NEW YRK, N.

SAFETY STRAIN-INSULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov, lif.

Application filed July 25., 1912. Serial No. iil,466.

' T 0 all whom it may concern a specification.

This invention relates to an insulator of the safety strain type adapted for use in general electric work, especially for the insulation of wires carrying currents of high voltage, and in instances where the insulator is subjected to a great mechanical strain, and the structure embodied comprises a pair of metallic disks arranged substantially concentric with each other and spaced apart by suitable insulating material, said disks having strain members of conducting material attached thereto in suoli manner as to tend to force said disks toward each other, against the intervening insulating material, in resisting the mechanical stresses to which the insulator is subjected.

Among the several objects of the invention are:

1. To provide the metallic anchoring members in the form of disks with elongated openings through the material thereof, of sufficientsize to accommodate the strain membersgespecially to facilitate the assenr bling of the device, and to provide for an interlocking relation between each strain member, and its respective disk whereby the parts may be easily and cheaply assembled.

2. To provide an etlicient interlocking joint between the strain members and the disks, by which each strain member may be connected to its respective disk by merely springing the parts together, and, further, so that when thus connected. the strain members will have no appreciable relative longitudinal movement, as well as no appreciable relative transverse movement,

3. To varrange the interlocking parte so that whenl interlocked, each leg of the U-shape strain member preferably employed, will be so connected with the disk as to be incapable of appreciable longitudinal or transverse relative movement irrespective of the presence of the other leg, or of any spring action between the legs.

4;. To provide the interlocking parts, particularly adapted for use with the U-shape strain members preferably employed, whereby said strain members may be forced into position and thereby sprung` through the spring action between the legs, into inten locking relation so that said spring action will cooperate with said interlocking means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the parts.

5. To provide U-shape strain members adapted to be connected with anchoring disks and to form oppositely projecting shoulders, one on each leg of said lli-shape strain member, adapted to engage one surface of said-disk to prevent longitudinal movement of the strain member in one direction, and to form heads at the ends of said legs adapted to engage the opposit surface of said disk to prevent relative movement of said strain member longitudinally in the other direction, and to form the parts of such proportions that said shoulders and heads may be engaged with said disks to perform their functions by forcing the strain member through an opening in the disk, and thus spring the legs toward each other until the shoulders 'snap past the disk.

ti. To form the heads on the leg of the strain members preferably of a wedge-shape adapted to eiigage wedge-slmed depressions in the disks in such manner as to prei vent appreciable movement of the legs toward each other, once the shoulders/have been snapped into interlocking relation.

'lo so shape the parts that one of the sti-ain members may be placed in interlocking relation with its respective disk, that the other disk may be dropped over said lirst strain member, that said second strain member may then be linked with said first strain men er and subsequently dropped into interlocking relation with said second disk, for tl-rj purpose of cheaply assembling the parl nior to the application of the enveloping iailating material lfor ing them ically set ings.

To shape the disks and the coopera-: g parts of the strain members so that l am enabled, wit-hout weakening the structure, to cut away a much greater proportion of each m. insulated relation, all forth in Figs. 3 to G of disk, than has heretofore been possible, for

permitting passage of 'the strain einher of the other disk, whereby a greater bulk of insulating material will occur between these parts and necessity for the usual precise adjustment of one strain member relatively j the other be avoided.

Other ohjectsand aims of this invention, more or less broad than those stated above,

will be in part obvious'and inv part specili cally referred to inthe course offlfthe following description of theelements, combinations, arrangements of parts and 'applica- -tions of principles constitutimg the invention; and the scope f protection contemplated. 'will be indicated in the appended claims.

' In the accompanying drawings, in which I have'illustrated a'merely preferred form of embodiment of the invention, and which are to betaken as a part of this specification; Figure `1 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 1-1 of Fig. 2,-and looking in. the direction of the arrow; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, central', sectional view through the insulator shown in Fig. 1, and taken substantially on the planel of line 2-2 of Fig. l, parts being shownin full; Figs. 3, 4, 5 and .6 are y illustrative view-sl showing the manner preferably employed' for assembling the elements of the insulator, Fig. 3 illustrating one of the strain members with its respective disk in process of being moved to interlocking position.' In Fig'. 4 the rst disk has been vforced into interlocking relation, the second disk has been telescoped over Vthe ir'st strain member, and the second strain i 4 member interlinked ywith said first strain member prior to being dropped or forced downwardly -into interlocking relation with the,l second disk, which final position is illustrated in Figr. `In Fig. 6 the partsare of their offices, or considerable expense has been added to the manufacture of the several individual parts and to the assembling of said parts, and hence the cost of the finished -product has been considerably enhanced.

In the structure illustrated, I have shown a meansv whereby the strain members may be connected with their respective disks in a thoroughly satisfactory manner practically without increasing the expense in .efcurred in the manufacture of the parts, and

materially reducing the time necessary for g5 creasing the total costv of the finished prodc i assembling the parts, by improving the certaintywith which the parts assiune their proper cO-related positions, and thereby de-4 uct. The amount of material comprised in the disks is considerably reduced. n

I have also provided an improved construction whereby the parts are held firmly axial center of the disk, for a purpose which will be apparent. l

The strain members are indicated respectively by the numerals 4 and 5, the strain member 4 being adapted to be interlocked with the disk l, and the strain member 5 with the disk 2." The centers of the end portions of the openings 3 in the disks are spaced apart substantially coincident with the centers of the legs 6 and 7 of the strain members. It will be understood that the two disks are arranged spaced apart in the structure, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and with the openings 3 in substantially rightangular relation, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, so that the legs of the strain member extending co-ncentrically through the end portions of the opening 3 in o-ne disk, will be in right-angular relation to the legs of the' other strain member extending through the opening 3 in the second disk.l

The opening 3 of each disk is formed with a pair of recesses 8, one in each of the side walls of the opening, saidrecesses being positioned and adapted to receive the enlarged end portions of the' legs of the `respective strain member. Each leg of the strain member is formed with a head 9 at its end adapted to engage one surface of the respective disk to prevent passage of the strain member through the/ recesses in one direction. Each of the legs is preferably further formed with a shoulder 10 adapted to engage a relatively opposite surface of the disk 'to prevent longitudinal movement of the strain member in the other direction. The shoulders 10 have relatively square surfaces facing toward theheads 9, and relatively inclined or cam surfaces 11 extending from the outer edge of said shoulders 10 and merging into the legs proper. The shoulders are formed on the outer sides o-f the legs so that'they projectaway from each other, and it will be apparent that the inclined portions 1l will engage the walls of the recesses 8, while the strain member is being forced through the disk, and will spring the legs toward each other sov that when the heads 9 reach the surface ofthe disk, then the shoulders 10 will spring or snap over the opposite face of l the disk. f .I

.The heads 9 and the' shoulders 10 copso as to permit assembling.

erate with the opposite surfaces4 of the disk tween the legs holds said legs pressed outwardly'into engagement with the walls of jtherecesses 8. In order, however, that each of the legs of the strain member may be interloeked to a sufficient degree, with the disk, irrespective of the presence of the other leg, or of the spring action between said legs, l preferably form the heads 9 of a wedge-shape, flaring outwardly beyond the recesses 8, as best seen in Fig. 1, and adapted to be received within wedge-shaped depressio'ns 12 formed in the surface of the disk, there being just sufficient play between the wedge-shaped walls of the head 9 and the wedge-sliaped walls 13 of the depression 12 The engagement between these walls positively prevents movement of the respective legs of the strain member transversely out of the re- Meesses. rlhe proportions of the parts are preferably such that the strain members `must be forced into their interlocking positions. Considerable force is usually employed for this purpose so that the protruding corners of the material of both the strain members and the disks are mashed down inthe operation. The material thus mashed increases the intimacy of the engagement between the parts and usually completely destroys any relative movement which might otherwise. exist. ture is'especially valuable in instances where sonieforce may be brought to bea'r, such as would tend to reduce the distance between ythe legs of the strain members and destroy the spring action, as for instance, when a considerable strainis placed upon the insulator suflicient to bend the loop end of the strain members so as to reduce the diameter of the connecting portion 141 between the legs, or in other ways'. The peculiar wide flaring shape'of the heads9, projecting- .directly toward the periphery of the'disk, serves an additional purpose. It will be noted that the body of material connecting the two halves of thel disk is quite small and correspondingly incapable of withstanding any material twisting or bending strains. 1t will also be noted that av pull upon the strain members would be transferred to the disk at points spaced considerably from the outer edgel of the disk, which outer edge portion is the portion which will offer the greatest resistance to the pull of the strain members, were it not for the fact that the heads 9 Hare outwardly toward said outer Yedge portion for a sulicient distance to members, for instance a, is inserted within This structhe recesses 8 of one of the disks, for instance the disk 1, and said disk is forced along the legs of said strain member and over the inclined portion 11 of the shoulders 10, forcing the legs toward each other, and snapping into position between the shoulders 10 and the adjacent surface of the heads 9. The disk 2 is then dropped into position with the rounded end portions of the openingv 3 substantially concentric with the legs of the strain member i, as iii Fig. 4, and the second strain member, as 5, is interlinked through the strain member Ll in relatively inverted relation and dropped, or forced, downwardly so that its legs pass "ill through the recesses 8 in the disk 2 and conv centrically through the rounded ends of the opening 3 of the disk 1 until the inclined portions 1l of the. shoulders 10 on its legs pass through the recesses 8 on the disk 2 and. snap over the surface of said disk into the position in Fig. 5. Each strain member then stands relatively rigidly interlocked with its respective disk, and said disks are then separated to the position shown in Fig. 6, where they are held, by any suitable means, while the enveloping body of insulatingmaterial 15 is molded-about them, entirely -inclosing and filling all intricacies about and between the disks and inclosing a portion of the strain members. This body of insulating material may be given any desirable exterior formation, but is preferably molded with suitable annular flanges as 16 and 17, the flange 16 being central and preferably projecting outwardly, for a considerable distance, and forming, in effect, adisk surrounding the body 15, and the flanges 17 being arranged one at each side of the flange 16 and preferably flaring outwardlyat an angle from said body portion 15. The Hanges materially increase the surface distance between the exposed portion of the strain member at one side of the body, and the exposed portion of the strain member t, at the opposite side of the body.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownv in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is z' 1. In an insulator, the combination comprising an anchoring member, a. single rod extending into engagement with said anchoring member and having integral formations thereon interlocking .with cooperating formations integral with said anchoring member in such manner as to retain said rod against longitudinal movement in two directions'relatively to said anchoring member,

gij incense and said interlocking formations on said rod and on said anchoring member serving also to retain said rod against relative transverse movement; and a body of insulating material within which said anchoring member is embedded.

2. ln an insulator, the combination comprising an anchoring member; a U-shaped conductor arranged with its two legs 'eX- tending intoengagement with said anchoring member, -each of said legs having integral formations thereon sprung into interlocked relation with cooperating formations integral with said anchoring member by relative spring action between said legs; each leg of said U-shaped conductor, when interlockedwith said anchoring member, being held by said interlocking formations irrespective of the presence of the other leg or of thespring action between the legs in such manner as to be retained against longitudinal movement in two directions rela'- tively to said anchoring member and being also held against relative transverse movement; and a body of insulating material within which said anchoring member is embedded.

3. ln an insulator, the combination comprising an anchoringmember having an opening formed through the material thereof; a U-shaped conductor arranged with its two legs projecting through said opening, each of said legs having integral formations thereon sprung into interlocked relation with coperating formations integral with said anchoring member by relative spring action between said legs tending to spring said legs apart and into contact with the walls of the opening in said anchoring member, each leg of said U-shaped conductor, when interlocked with said anchoring member, being held by said interlocking formations irrespective of the presence of the other leg or of the spring action between the legs in such manner as to be retained against longitudinal movement in two directions relatively to said anchoring member and being also held against relative transverse movement; and a body of insulating material within which said anchoring member is embedded.

4. In an insulator, the combination com- 'prising an anchoring member, a single i'od extending into engagement with 'said anchoring member and having integral formations thereon interlocking with cooperating formations integral with said anchoring member in such manner as to retain said rod against longitudinal movement relatively to said anchoring member, and said interlocking formations on said rod and on said anchoring member serving also to retain said rod against relativetransverse movement, said integral formations on said rod and ,I anchoring member comprising shoulders on said rod engaging relativelv opposite sur faces of said anchoring member to prevent` relative longitudinal movement of the rod, the anchoring member being formed with a recess to receive said rod, and shoulders on said anchoring member said i2 for retaining said rod in said recess to prevent relative transverse movement of the rod; and a body of insulating material within which said anchoring member is einbedded.

lfn an insulator., the combination comprising an anchoring member, a single rod extending into engagement with said an-l choring member and having integral formations thereon interlocking with cooperating formations integral with said anchoring member in such manner as to retain said rod against longitudinal movement relatively to said anchoring member, and said interlocking formations on said rod and on said anchoring member serving` also to retain said rod against relative transverse movement, said integral on said rod and anchoring member im )rising shoulders on said rod engagi relatively opposite surfaces of said anchoring member to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the rod, the. anchoring member being formed with a recess to receive said rod, one of the shoulders on said rod being wedge-shaped, and said anchoring member having. a wedge-shaped depression for ceiving said wedge-shaped shoulder in such manner as to retain said rod said recess to prevent relative transverse movement of the rod; and a bor y of insulating material within which said anchoring member is embedded. v

6. in an insulator, the combination comprising an anchoring member; a single4 rod extending into engagement with said anchoring member and having integral formations thereon interlocking with coopera-ting formations integral with said anchoring member in such manner to retain said rod against longitudinal movement relatively 4to said anchoring member, and said interlocking formations on said rod and on said anchoring member serving also to retain said rod against relative transverse movement, said integral formations on said rod and anchoring member comprising a head at the end of said rod engaging one side surface of said anchoring member, a laterally projecting shoulder on said rod engaging the opposite side surface of said anchoring member, said head and shoulder serving to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the rod, the anchoring member being formed with a recess adapted to re ceive the portion of said rod between said head and said shoulder, said head being wedge-shaped and said anchoring member nai/ing a wedge-shaped depression for relOO f opening ceiving said wedge-shaped head in such manner as to retain'saidrod vin said recess to prevent relative transverse movement of the rod; and abody of insulating'material within -which said anchoring member is emner as to kprevent movement of said legs 15 towardl each other and also to prevent rela- -tive movement of said conductor in both its anchoring'member;

longitudinal directions relatively to said i and a body of insulating material within which said anchoring memberis embedded.

8. In' a strain insulator, the combination v comprising a disk-shaped member havi g Van opening entirely within its peripher' l edge, al substantially U-shaped strain member extending partly within said opening, the ends of the strain member being provided with integral formations adapted for interlocking engagement with -coperating .formations integral with the disk-shaped member, whereby when said strain member and :disk are assembled they are detachably locked against relative movement in all directions lrrespective of any other parts of the insulator.

9. In a strain insulator, the combination comprising a pair of'disk-shaped members disposed in opposed relation and each having an opening entirely within its peripheral edge,a pair of strain members extending partly within said openings respectively and eingiixed one toeach of said disk-shaped comprising a strain member and an anchoring member therefor, the strain member comprising a rod adapted to be slid past an edge portion of the anchoring-member in being assembled with said anchoring member, means for interlocking said strain member with said anchoring member to prevent relative movement of the strain member in two longitudinal directions when said ,strain member has reached a sition, and means yieldably maintaining said interlocking parts in interlocked relation.

1l. In a strain insulator, the combination comprising a strain member and an anchoring member therefor, the anchoring member having 4an opening therethrough, the strain member being U-shaped and having substantially parallel leg portions, laterally projecting extensions formed upon the free 'ends of each ofsaid legs and projecting away from each other, the strain member being adapted to -be assembled with the anchoring member by being slid through the opening in said anchoring member until said lateral extensions engage against the rear face of the anchoring member .to limit further sliding movement,-and other extensions formed upon the legs of .the strain member to engage the forward face of the anchoring member to limit sliding movement of the strain member in the reverse direction. 12. In a strain insulatorggthe combination comprising an anchoring member having an opening therethrough, a U-shaped strain member having the inner ends of its legs projecting through said opening, and lateral extensions on the inner ends of said legs projecting into engagement with relatively opposite surface-portions of the anchoring member to retain the anchoring member against relative movement longitudinally in two directions.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS STEINBERGER Witnesses:

NATHALIE THOMPSON, L. GERsFoRD HANDY.

pre-determined pol i 

